What we do

We provide grants and loans to local groups whose objectives are to benefit the community. Our funds are obtained from certain developers of wind farms in the Western Isles who have agreed to pay us contributions on an annual basis.

Western Isles Development Trust (WIDT) was established in 2004, as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Its Articles of Association have five objectives. These are as follows:

1. the advancement of citizenship and community development including, without limitation, urban or rural regeneration, maintenance and improvement of the physical and social infrastructure within the environs of the Western Isles (the "Western Isles Community"), including supporting the aspirations of local communities and the provision, maintenance and improvement of recreational facilities;

2. the prevention or relief of poverty in the Western Isles Community, including, without limitation, the provision of support and grants to organisations and individuals working to prevent or relieve poverty including through energy-efficient schemes;

3. the advancement of environmental protection or improvement, including, without limitation, supporting a forward-looking environmental enhancement approach and the provision, maintenance, and improvement of environmental facilities;

4. the advancement of education including, without limitation, the provision, maintenance and improvement of educational facilities and raising awareness in relation to energy and energy-related issues that are driving global, national, and local change; and

5. the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture, or science including, without limitation, the provision, maintenance, and improvement of recreational and cultural facilities and raising awareness of the Gaelic language.

The purpose of the company is to support the regeneration and development of the Outer Hebrides through the disbursement of community benefit secured from the local deployment of renewable energy installations. This community benefit will come from a range of technologies, predominately onshore wind, offshore wind, wave, and tidal.